Toxicity, chemical composition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of plants used for the treatment of helminth infections in the Kara and Central region of Togo.

Abstract

Objectives: Traditional healers (THs) from the Central and Kara regions of Togo use Aframomum melegueta(Alligator pipper), Khaya senegalensis (Senegal mahogany) and Xylopia aethiopica (Kani pepper) for the treatment of helminths infections. We previously confirmed the anthelmintic effects of these plants. THs had little information about plants compounds, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities and toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate antiinflammatory, antioxidant activities and toxicity of Aframomum melegueta, Khaya senegalensis and Xylopia aethiopica used for the treatment of helminthiasis in the Central and Kara regions of Togo. Methodology and Results: Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the inhibition method of lipoxygenase type IB extracted from soybean. The concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids were measured respectively by the FolinCiocalteu reagent reduction method and the Aluminium chloride colorimetric method. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH and ABTS assays. Acute and subchronic toxicity was performed on Wistar rats according to OECD recommendations. Khaya senegalensis and Xylopia aethiopica showed, a greater anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting lipoxygenase activity in vitro and antioxidant activity (Aframomum melegueta; ABTS 32.79±3.79 mgEAA/100mg and Xylopia aethiopica; DPPH IC50 of 2278.89±104.68 µg/mL). Khaya senegalensis contained a high concentration of flavonoids (1.39±0.07 mgEQ/100mg) and phenols (329.21±19.99 mgEGA /100mg). No toxic effects were observed for the chosen doses with these plants extract. Conclusions and application of findings: Extracts of Khaya senegalensis and Xylopia aethiopica had anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, extracts of Khaya senegalensis and Aframomum meleguetahad excellent antioxidant power and had the highest concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids. This finding could justify the traditional use of these plant Ataba et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2020 Toxicity, chemical composition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of plants used for the treatment of helminth infections in the Kara and central region of Togo. 16115 organ extracts for the treatment of helminth infections and provide scientific evidence to traditional healers in the central region and Kara in Togo. However, further studies are necessary to determine the molecules responsible for the pharmacological properties of these plant organ extracts and their mechanisms of action. Key words: Aframomun melegueta, Khaya senegalensis, Xylopia aethiopica, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity.